hudson valley photographer

, , , ,

Smart Alice Wedding Education: 5 Tips to Help You Hire Your Wedding Photographer

, , , ,
Smart Alice Wedding Education: 5 Tips to Help You Hire Your Wedding Photographer

In a world full of Pinterest checklists and advice from literally everywhere, it’s often easy to get overwhelmed and “list happy” when you are planning a wedding - especially when you are considering who to hire as your wedding photographer. Believe me, I know. Wanna know how? I hoarded checklists from The Knot and WeddingWire like it was my job when I was getting married in 2013. And, I was also the bride who gave my photographer a color-coded spreadsheet of my wedding day timeline. Who did I think I was? Amy Santiago…?

, , , , , , ,

Love in the Time of COVID-19: Updated April 18, 2020

, , , , , , ,
Love in the Time of COVID-19: Updated April 18, 2020

I sent the following email out to all of my current clients yesterday - March 16, 2020. Of course, all of this information is subject to change, but for now, this is where my sweet little business is at.

Alyssa + Kyle // A Small Town Fall Wedding at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, NY

Alyssa + Kyle // A Small Town Fall Wedding at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, NY

My wish for every single one of my couples is that they have as lush of a wedding day as Alyssa + Kyle had last September.

Lush in so many ways…

,

Briella + Zach // A Meaningful Mountain-View Wedding at Hudson Valley Weddings at the Hill in Hudson, NY

,
Briella + Zach // A Meaningful Mountain-View Wedding at Hudson Valley Weddings at the Hill in Hudson, NY

When I walked down the aisle at my own wedding, I carried two bouquets - one for myself, and one for my mom. At the head of the aisle, before I joined hands with my husband, I laid my mom’s bouquet on her chair. The chair was empty, but it was reserved for her. I have so many memories of my wedding day, but that still, small moment of resting that bouquet there felt incredibly, peacefully solitary. I was surrounded by so many people, being watched by so many hearts, but that moment felt like an embrace - a private moment between me and my mom. She wasn’t there…but she was. I know she was…

, ,

I'm Giving Away a Wedding - Again!

, ,
I'm Giving Away a Wedding - Again!

My mom died before I was even engaged, which was truly heartbreaking to me. Her biggest dream was to see her daughters get married. Growing up, we talked a lot about weddings. We talked about gowns and rings and how she prayed for us to marry the perfect person.

We talked. I miss that.

The anniversary of Mum's death is July 16. 6 years. So, sometimes, July sucks. But this year, July is going to be awesome. Why?

Because I'm giving away a wedding.

Yes. For real. This is not a joke.

I'm giving away a wedding package for the upcoming 2018 season. 

,

Shana + Rob // An Intimate Park Wedding at Clermont State Historic Site in Germantown, NY

,
Shana + Rob // An Intimate Park Wedding at Clermont State Historic Site in Germantown, NY

Shana + Rob are what I refer to as the realest of the real. I remember meeting them at our initial consultation, and thinking, Wow - these people feel like old friends; I could talk to them for days. Seriously. They are confident, but kind. They were excited, but down-to-earth. Their wedding day was gorgeous, and oh so them...

, ,

Jaime // A Lifegiving Session at Stonykill Farm in Beacon, NY

, ,
Jaime // A Lifegiving Session at Stonykill Farm in Beacon, NY

I seem to be surrounded by pregnant mamas lately. I won't lie - I'm not mad about it. :) I think pregnancy is one of the most beautiful, remarkable, and miraculous things that a woman can go through. Jaime's pregnancy is even more special because she's my sister-in-love, so her cute little belly is holding my new nephew. T minus 2 weeks, y'all...

,

Jamie + Nick // A Rustic Ridge View Farm Wedding in Kerhonksen, NY

,
Jamie + Nick // A Rustic Ridge View Farm Wedding in Kerhonksen, NY

It's funny how certain memories stick. I remember very vividly meeting Jamie + Nick for the first time. They dreamt of their gorgeous farm wedding with me. They told me about the incredible venue, their thoughts for their colors and bridesmaid dresses, their desire to have a day that just encompassed all that they are together, and celebrated it in the best of ways...

, ,

I'm Giving Away a Wedding!

, ,
I'm Giving Away a Wedding!

My mom died before I was even engaged, which was truly heartbreaking to me. Her biggest dream was to see her daughters get married. Growing up, we talked a lot about weddings. We talked about gowns and rings and how she prayed for us to marry the perfect person.

We talked. I miss that.

The anniversary of Mum's death is July 16. 5 years. So, sometimes, July sucks. But this year, July is going to be awesome. Why?

Because I'm giving away a wedding.

Yes. For real. This is not a joke.

I'm giving away a wedding package for the upcoming 2017 season. 

, , , ,

How to Plan a Styled Shoot, Part 3: As You Learn, We All Learn

, , , ,
How to Plan a Styled Shoot, Part 3: As You Learn, We All Learn

Okay. Now that you've been all up in my brain with my scaredy-cat feelings and my type-A planning tendencies, I'm sure you'd love to know the ups and downs of working on my recent styled shoot. Below are things that went REALLY WELL, as well as things that I could have done better. As Ben Sassosays, As you improve, we all improve. Community over competition, friends. :)

, , ,

How to Plan a Styled Shoot, Part 2: Let's Get to It!

, , ,
How to Plan a Styled Shoot, Part 2: Let's Get to It!

So, now that you've read about how scared I was to do a styled shoot, I'm positive that you want to learn how to create your own! 

Come on, I know you do. Remember: FEEL THE FEAR. You'll be so proud once you're done.

, , ,

How to Plan a Styled Shoot, Part 1: Feel the Fear

, , ,
How to Plan a Styled Shoot, Part 1: Feel the Fear

I wrote styled shoot across the top of the page, and made categories within the list that I knew I could populate - hair, makeup, cake, invitation design, accessories. Within this list, I also had a few categories that I knew I needed to find - venue (v important), gowns, florals. My heart literally started beating hard and fast when I finished my list, I was that excited. But I was also nervous - what if I got my people on board, and couldn't pull together the rest?